More on Tesla Motors' (TSLA) Q3: Delivered 253 Model S and 68 Roadsters during the period. Notes progress on on powertrain for Mercedes Benz EV is on schedule. Maintains full-year revenue guidance of $400M-$440M with deliveries of Model S falling in a range of 2.5K-3K. Shares +1.9% premarket. (PR)

Uh.... weren't the Roadster supposed to be sold out already one year ago? And now it seems they sold 68 of them in Q3 2013?

Oh right, they said Roadster was sold out, they didn't say it was sold out "worldwide"... I guess they simply forgot to communicate with the same emphasis they had a large inventory outside US, but they buried it in quarterly report ("large" being my personal judgement, as I'm sure somebody could argue "large compared to what?"). What went wrong? Customers in Europe and Asia didn't rush to buy them? I'm curious to know, since the production ended in Q4 last year and clearly these late sales were not the effect of a production delay like it's the case of Model S, but rather of slow sales, which worries me unless we assume that the Roadster was a terrible product. Can't even compare sales result to same quarter last year to see if sales in EU/Asia improved or not since the company doesn't report sales by region as far as I know... I just hope they show improvement.But then, one questions arises: who is in charge of production allocation to the various regions (with relevant specification/homologa... requirements), when US had no cars and plenty of customers while Europe and Asia had apparently lots of cars and no customers? Just wondering...

Valid concerns of course, but why would you rush to the conclusion of a terrible product? It's more likely about the slow economy/recovery in Europe. And why would this one piece of news negate the stellar reviews and progress to date.

I think the big positive news is that production for Q3 was 253, and Q4 according to previous news should be at least doubled with more shifts, etc.

Also, selling 68 Roadsters is more revenue, I'll take that!

Just as a side note, I was in Cupertino just off 280/Stevens Creek and saw a white Tesla in the parking lot. There was an older woman waiting under an oak tree and I asked her if it was her Tesla in the parking lot. Get this she said "I wish!" Even an 80 year old random woman new the brand!

berylrb, I've driven the Roadster for more than one year. My suggestion that Roadster could be a terrible product was sarcasm, intended to show that the problem was a different one and not clearly reflected in the communication. If it takes more than 9 month to clean up inventory, you have a problem. And if they suggested in their communication that were were sold out, while it took them more than 9 further months to clean up their inventory, that's misleading investors. And that's in any business in the world, start-up included. That's the only point I wanted to make and it's substantial in my opinion, because I try to base my investment on various information, but if the company is misguiding me that tells me that the investment can give me more headache than upside.

The car was far from garbage, quite the contrary. In terms of performance, handling, cornering and fun it was amazing, although, as I said somewhere else, after a while it didn't give emotions anymore like my previous German sport cars, must have had to do with the sound perhaps. Quality of interiors, finishing and plastics were quite rubbish for that price level and comfort was very poor but those were probably not the reasons why someone bought a Roadster :)

Alexia, I invest on the basis of facts, not on the basis of wishful thinking. The information about the Roadster was a substantial misguidance originated by the way the company communicated (as I said, the real information was buried in quarterly report, while the PR was drumming the news that the Roadster was sold out). This doesn't change an inch the potential (good or bad) of the business, but it affects the trust you should put in the information coming from that source. If you were less infatuated with the company, you would acknowledge that.

Mr Edward VIII, I have no idea where you get this trust issue stuff. If you have trust issues, then get out. That way you wouldn't have to toss and turn and get all bent out of shape over some ridiculously unimportant 'fact'.

It was common knowledge that there were a handful of Roadsters left for sale in Europe. It was right there in black and white, regardless if you think it was buried or not, or if some PR machine was rolling something else out. I knew it was there because my 'infactuation', as you call it, doesn't disable my reading or comprehension skills.

Well, you just let me know when you figure out what 'serious analysis' actually means, then we'll talk. Until then, you keep focussing on those 60 some odd cars and the remaining 30 cars to make your investment decisions. I'm sure you'll be infinitely successful with that approach.

I am sure your misplaced sarcasm will bring me good luck, although I believe more in solid thinking than in wishful one, in trustful data instead of looking only at what I like. But then, as you mention in your profile, you've got "Nothing to tell. New to the game."Good luck with your infatuation.

Alexia, the level of discussion you are capable to hold is as low as a teenager's one. Seems that you are not able to go beyond cheers with supporters and boos at what you consider enemies. I regret having wasted my time in replying to your comments as clearly there was no possible benefit in this exchange with a clearly biased mind, neither for me nor for the readers.